Potato-coverer



V(N0 Model.)

F. G. JUNEY.

PoTATo GOVERER.

Patented Apr. 22, 1884.

N4 PETERS, Pgmmuumgnpbu, wnhlngmm D. C4

@Ntra FRANK G. JUNEY, OF VICTOR, NEW YORK.

PoTATo-COVERER.

SPECIFICATION' forming part of Letters Patent No. 297,266, dated April 22, 1884.-.

Application filed January 14, 1883. (No model.)

.To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK G. JUNEY, of Victor, Ontario' county, New York, have invented certain Improvements in Machines for Covering Potatoes, &c., of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the annexed drawings.

My improvements in machines for covering potatoes, &c., are represented in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 is a front elevation. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of one of the mold-boards detached, as seen from the inner side. Fig. 5 represents in elevation one of the angle-pieces by which the mold-boards are adjustably connected with the cross-bars. Fig. 6 is a side view of the same. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the coverer. Fig. 8 is a section through one ofthe mold-boards on the line .e z, Fig. et.

My improved machine for covering potatoes vor other similar purposes consists of two inclined mold-boards, A A', adjustably secured to the cross-bars B and O, a yielding coverer, D, and offset-handles E E', the whole structure being arranged to throw the earth inward into a ridge over the articles to be planted when drawn forward over the ground and to smooth down the surface of the soil in rear ofthe machine. The mold-boards A A are formed of wood of suitable thickness, and made of curved form on their lower edges, being shod with the metallic shares F F', which are secured to the wood by screws or bolts, and project a short distance below the mold-boards. The moldboards and shares are inclined to each other not only in the horizontal but also in the verof such shape as to be applied to both the-in` ner and outer sides of the mold-boards. The

angle-plates are secured to the mold-boards in such position that their upper sides come ilush with the top of the mold-boards by means of a bolt, r, Figs. l and 4, passing through holes s, Fig. 5, in the angle-plates- For the purpose of securing sufiicient strength, the angle-plates are provided with'the anges t t, Figs. 5 and 6. rlhe upper sides of the angle-plates are provided with slots a, Fig. 5, through which pass the boltsvn'v o, by which the angle-plates are adj ustably secured to thev cross-bar B. The angle between the mold-boards A and A is readily changed by slacking the nuts on the bolts n o and moving the boards into the desired position, the bolts sliding along inA the slot u, and then securing the mold-boards to the cross-bar by screwing down on the nuts. The ad j ustaloility of the mold-boards relatively to each other in the horizontal plane is indicated by the dotted lines A A in the drawings, Fig.. 2. At their .rear ends the moldboards may be attached to the cross-bar C by slotted angle-plates; but such arrangement is ordinarily unnecessary, and I employ at this point angle-plates similar to those already described, but simply perforated with holes for the reception ofthe bolts.

Attached tothe under side of the front crossbar, and extending backward and downward, is theyielding` coverer D, which is formed 'of sheet metal of suitable thickness, and has its rear end made to extend outward beyond the mold-boards, as represented in Fig. 2. The outer edges of the coverer toward the rear are bent upward slightly, as represented in the side view, Fig. 7.

To the upper surface of the coverer is attach ed a stiffening-rib, Z, into which is inserted a staple or hook for a chain, h, which reaches upward to the rear cross-bar, for the purpose ot' holding the coverer in place in backing the machine. The coverer operates to smooth down any inequalities in the earth thrown up by the mold-boards, its attachment to the cross-bar B permitting it to yield slightly for this purpose. The forward end ofthe sheetmetal coverer is attached to the lower side of the cross-bar B by screws or bolts, the stiftening-rib Z terminating in rear of the bar, so as not to interfere with the yielding action of the coverer.

I provide my improved potato-coverer with offset handles EE', to prevent the necessity of the driver walking in the planted row. The

IOO

handles are of ordinary form, attached at their forward ends to the front cross-bar by bolts y l various forms have been heretofore applied to y, and supported by braces m and p, extending upward from the rear Cross-bar. The ri ghtl hand handle may also be braced from the front cross-bar by the brace q. These braces are formed of cast-iron of suitable shape, and .secured at each end to the wood-work by bolts. The two braces m and p may be connected to the rear cross-bar by a single bolt. The front cross-bar is provided with hooks or staples for the attachment of a tongue or thills, I.

I am aware that metallic shares have been heretoforeappliedto woodenmold-boards; that angleplates and various other means have been heretofore adopted for varying` the angle of inclination between mold-boards arranged vto throw the earth or soil toward the central line between them, and that offset handles have been previously employed on machines of various kinds, and such features I do not claim.

I am also aware that Scrapers or coverers of seeding-machines for the purpose ofsmoothing down the surface of the soil behind them, as shown, among others, in the patent of Hobson, No. 120,742, November 7, 1871; and my claim of novelty herein is therefore limited in the combination recited to the specific form of coverer herein described.

I claim- The combination, with the mold-boards A A, provided with shares F F', of the cross-bars B and G, and the yielding coverer D, formed of sheet nietal of suitable thickness, and having its rear edges extended laterally beyond the mold-boards, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

FRANK G. J UN EY.

W'itnesses:

Guns. H. CALDWELL, H. G. PHILLiPs. 

